The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44550

Enbal Shacham, MEd, Education and Volunteer Services Department, AID Atlanta, Inc., 1438 West Peachtree Street, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309, 4048707765, eshacham@cdc.gov

The concept of collaborations has shown to be an effective approach to health promotion and health education. Collaborations fundamentally facilitate strategic planning, prevent duplication of services, maximize limited funding, and integrate expertise from various aspects of health issues and concerns. These incentives drive the primary purpose of collaborations. We need to recognize that specific agencies cannot possibly fulfill all that a proposed intervention can offer. The support in collaborative efforts by funding agencies has been quite evident in the recent past. Community-based organizations have been encouraged to collaborate with other agencies that do not offer the same services. This has been shown to develop a more comprehensive approach to the targeted health concern. Comprehensive health education needs to occur to minimize the vacuum in which health issues have been approached. Developing a collaboration between an AIDS service organization, a substance abuse prevention agency, and an external evaluation specialist has proven to be both challenging and rewarding. Communication, flexibility and a sense of respect from all involved have shown to be cornerstones of success. It is imperative to recognize the limitations as well as the overall success to collaborative programs. Some limitations may include other responsibilities outside of the collaboration, unwillingness to stray from traditional strategies and operating out of different facilities. There needs to be previous discussion to how a proposed program will function and exactly how the responsibilities are delineated. Ideally, collaborating agencies agree on specific contractual duties, which also incorporates limitations and liabilities.

Learning Objectives:

• *Analyze current status of collaborative agreements between community-based organizations
• *Evaluate voids in services being offered regarding HIV prevention and care
• *Define collaborative needs for comprehensive HIV prevention
• *Develop standards in delineating tasks, responsibilities and limitations between agencies
• *Discuss proven methods of generating best practices in collaborative efforts

Keywords: Community Health Programs, Community Collaboration

Related Web page: www.aidatlanta.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: AID Atlanta, Inc. The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Inc. Wellsys Corp.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employers